Teva, Crank Brothers Connect on the Pivot Clipless Shoe

Designed from the ground up, the Pivot is Teva’s first clipless-compatible shoe. (Lou Mazzante)

It’s only been a year since outdoor footwear brand Teva—best known for its sandals—began making shoes for mountain bikers, but the company already has an industry first under its belt. At Interbike, Teva introduced the Pivot, a shoe for all-mountain riders and enduro racers that it designed in collaboration with pedal maker Crank Brothers. According to Teva, it’s the first shoe designed from the ground up to work with a specific pedal—in this case the Crank Brothers Mallet clipless model.

Teva is applying for several patents related to the pedal/shoe interface, so it can’t discuss some tech details, but it did offer a good look at the shoe’s exterior. The Pivot uses a grippy traction pad where the shoe contacts the pedal to enhance the connection, and to provide traction when riders are not clipped in. Chevron-shaped cutouts on the sole reduce weight and the reinforced shank is shorter than the ones found on many similar shoes, which should increase comfort. An EVA sole adds another level of comfort and a wide lace guard prevents loose laces from getting caught in a bike’s drivetrain.

There are some special features beneath the sole, but Teva’s not saying what they are just yet.

The shoe, says Teva, will be easier to engage and disengage than anything else on the market. That’s not only a boon to experienced riders, but also to people just getting into the sport, who often struggle with unclipping while riding. While the Pivot was designed to fit the Crank Brothers Mallet pedal, it will also work with pedals from Shimano and other brands. It will sell for about $150 when it becomes available next summer.

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